The Bruins have been having trouble with the roster all season with all of our injuries and illnesses. But it looks like things are about to get even more interesting with the imminent return of Loui Eriksson and Shawn Thornton.

The Bruins have been relying on guys like Spooner, Fraser, Florek and unfortunately Caron to fill in the holes left by injured players. However, with our two regulars coming back, the decision must be made: who do the Bruins get rid of?

1. Shawn Thornton: When it comes to Thornton returning to the line up, coach said he had to earn his spot, which is entirely valid since Thornton cannot think that he can use his suspension as an excuse for sloppy play upon his return (which I never foresaw him doing anyways). But everyone knows that coach was mostly kidding and that Thornton will more than likely be back in the line up.

Since Thornton's been gone, Jordan Caron has been filling in on the fourth line and has been doing absolutely nothing for this team. He didn't register a single point in the first twelve games he covered for Thornton and was a -2. He's currently a -5, the worst rating on the team, and literally skates around the ice like a chicken with his head cut off. He's absolutely useless. So with Caron vs. Thornton, the choice is obviously simple: send Caron packing some place as far away from the Bruins as we can put him.

But now Florek has come into the picture. Florek definitely doesn't have the kind of experience Thornton does nor is he an enforcer like Thornton. In my opinion, no matter what happens with Florek Thornton is going to be put back in the line up because it's obvious how much of a difference his absence has made on the ice. But with Florek doing so well with the team and showing off his powerful, big bodied game, Thornton might not have it so easy. So what does the team do?

My Prediction: Thornton definitely gets put back on the fourth line, Caron is put on a waivers and Florek becomes the new, more efficient Caron.

2. Loui Eriksson: Who we're going to move when Loui returns is a little bit more difficult to hash out. Prior to the hit that caused his second concussion of the year, Loui was on the second line with Marchy and Bergeron.

In his place we put Reilly Smith. And my god was that a fantastic choice on our part because this kid has been magical. He's leading the team in goals and is second on the team in points. He has great chemistry with his line mates and is a great play maker. But there's no denying that Eriksson is a top six forward. So the question becomes: Do the Bruins overlook the chemistry of the current second line and put Eriksson back in his spot or do we continue to let Smith be?

If we chose to let Smith be, Eriksson would be moved down to the third line. Which is all fine and dandy until you remember that would entail moving Spooner or Fraser back down to Providence. So which one should it be? The two of them have great chemistry together since they played together in Providence and the third line actually has an ice presence this year with them there.

Looking at Spooner, he's been playing with the Bruins since Halloween when he was first recalled from Providence. He was then recalled again on December 8th with Fraser. In the times he's been recalled, he's played in 16 games and has 9 assists in that time span. Fraser made his debut with us after the December 8th recall and has played in 13 games with 1 goal. But both boys were leading the Providence Bruins in points while they were there. So what do we do?

My Prediction: We send Fraser back down to providence and keep Spooner in for Chris Kelly.

My Line Predictions

But only time will tell what the Bruins will do. We won't see any changes made until at least the 10th or the 11th though, since that's when Thornton will be making his return and more than likely when Eriksson will be making his return.